India has strongly rejected the remarks made by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Jammu & Kashmir during his address at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), reiterating that the issue is an internal matter concerning India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Addressing a weekly media briefing on Tuesday, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that Jammu & Kashmir is an integral part of India and that no external party has any locus standi on matters related to the region.
Responding to a question on the recent IBSA statement, Jaiswal said that the Foreign Ministers of India, Brazil and South Africa met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. Following the meeting, the three countries issued a joint statement reflecting their collective views on a range of global issues.
He noted that the statement covered several economic, developmental and political matters of common interest. On the Palestine issue, Jaiswal reiterated India’s longstanding support for a two-state solution that would enable both Israel and Palestine to coexist peacefully and securely.
To a question raised by NewsGate on External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar’s remarks regarding terrorism during his US visit, the MEA spokesperson said the minister had highlighted cross-border terrorism as a matter of serious global concern and emphasized the need for countries to work together to combat the menace.
On reports concerning a proposed 100 per cent tariff by the United States, Jaiswal said Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri recently held discussions with a visiting US Congressional delegation in New Delhi. During the meeting, both sides discussed a range of bilateral issues.
He added that the Foreign Secretary conveyed India’s concerns regarding the proposed Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act (SIRA), particularly its potential implications for India-US bilateral relations and the international energy market.
Providing an update on maritime activities in the Persian Gulf, Jaiswal said there are currently six India-flagged commercial vessels operating in the region, along with six foreign-flagged vessels carrying cargo destined for India.
He further informed that around 163 Indian seafarers are onboard these vessels. In addition, more than 4,500 Indian seafarers are serving aboard various commercial ships operating across the wider regional waters.
